Bruderheim has balanced its budget and there’s a slight tax increase for residents.

A special budget meeting took place on Wednesday (May 10), which saw council pass the town’s 2018 operating budget within 15 minutes or so.

The operating budget sits at $3.5 million and the tax rate will increase by 1.5 per cent.

“The final operating budget maintains services provided to the residents of Bruderheim while proactively providing for the future. The operating budget reflects the resources required to provide levels of services and add to the quality of life to Bruderheim residents,” said mayor Karl Hauch.

Noting it has been a tough year for many people employment wise, the town did try to keep the tax rate as low as possible.

“If we were to go any lower or below zero for an increase, we’d have to reduce services and we don’t feel our residents are looking for that. We’re trying to keep our taxes as low as possible and we don’t have the income from industry and business that larger municipalities to the west of us do,” said Hauch. “We just don’t have the resources yet, but that’s something our community is working towards.”

Residents will receive a notice about the tax increase and taxes are due at the end of June.

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